David richard gardiner



PATENTED FEB. 9, 1904.

D. R. GARDINER. PNEUMATIC BLOWER.

APPLICATION FILED we. 25, 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

[NVE/VTOR PATENTED FEB. 9, 1904.

D. R. GARDINER.

PNEUMATIC BLOWER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 25, 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

KO MODEL.

W/YN/iSSES:

UNITED STATES Patented February 9, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

PNEUMATIC BLOWER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 751,627, dated February 9, 1904.

Application filed August 25, 1903.

and 1 do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to rotary fan-blowers, particularly such as are used in connection with pneumatic tubes or conveyors of threshing-machines, separators, and the like for creating the air-blasts for driving off the straw and chaff; and it has reference more especially to blowers of that type in which the straw and chaff are admitted directly into the blowercasing at the front or side of the fan and then expelled through the discharge chute or opening into the conveyer.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an improved blower of this character wherein the straw is admitted into the blowercasing and directly expelled therefrom without hugging the fan or lying too closely thereto or winding on the blades thereof, thus facilitating the discharge, and wherein the formation of the usual vacuum at the center of the fan is prevented, thus overcoming resistance due to such cause and diminishing the power required to drive the blower.

Further objects are to simplify and improve the construction of the blades. so as to better receive and eject the straw, and also to provide for regulating the strength of the blast, so that any undue draft or suction through the sieves of the separator or threshing-machine may be prevented.

The invention will first be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are to be taken as a part of this specification, and its distinguishing features will then be pointed out in the claims following the description.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a rear view of a blower embodying my invention, showing the plates or curtains for controlling the admission of air to the fan. Fig. 2 is a simi- Serial No. 170,714. (No model.)

lar view with the back side of the casing removed to show the construction of the fan. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the fan. Fig. 4: is a front view of the blower, showing the opening in the face of the casing for introduction of straw and chaff.

The letter A in the drawings denotes a circular casing, in which the fan is concentrically arranged, the latter being mounted on a shaft B, which may be journaled in suitable bearings at the back of the casing and may be provided with a pulley C for application of power. The front face of the casing (shown in Fig. 4:) has an opening D of nearly the diameter of the fan, the blades of which extend nearly to the inner circular wall or periphery of the casing. This openingD is for introduction of straw and chaff to the blower, from which it is afterward ejected through a discharge chute or spout E, disposed tangentially to the fan in the usual way. At the back or opposite side (shown in Fig. 1) the casing has a smaller opening F, which is for admission of air to that side of the blower,

and means are preferably provided for closing or partially closing said opening, which may consist of two pivoted plates or curtains, (indicated by the letter G.)

The fan consists principally of a series of main blades H. As a simple, light, and inexpensive construction they may be formed of sheet metal and fastened on a set of radial arms or spokes J, suitably mounted on the shaft, said arms or spokes lying behind the blades, which are attached thereon at their back edgesthat is, the edges adjacent to the opening F. Any suitable construction, however, may be adopted. The blades are rolled or turned forward or in the directon of rotation at their front edgesthat is, the edges adjacent to the opening D-gradually tapered along said front edges from their central parts toward their outer ends, and slightly turned backward at said outer ends. A centraldisk or cover-plate K is also provided at the front of the fan, to which the inner or central parts of the said rolled edges are preferably secured. At the back of the fan is a series of small auxiliary blades L, attached to the central part of the fan and helically arranged around the shaft, so as to revolve within the circle of the air-opening F, said blades preferably projecting into or through said opening. 5 In operation rotation of-the fan produces blast through the discharge chute or opening in the usual way, and the auxiliary blades L draw a strong secondary current into the center of the fan, which acts as a cushion and prevents the straw and chaff from entering between the blades or winding thereon or lying too closely thereto, while it also prevents the formation of a central vacuum. The strength of this secondary current may be controlled by closing or partially closing the plates or curtains G over the opening F. By reason of the front rolled edges of the main blades the air is prevented from passing beyond said edges, and thus obstructing the introduction of straw, and said blades constitute curved chambers or buckets, as seen at it, which in revolving retain the air and expel it through the discharge opening. plate or disk K also prevents the air from passing through the fan and keeps the straw from entering between or Winding on theblades, which is further facilitated by the rolled front edges of the latter. The blades being tapered from the central cover-plate toward their outer ends, the straw readily passes into the casing without close contact or obstruction to the fan and by the combined blasts is forcibly discharged through the chute. By reason of the backwardly-curved ends of the main blades they pass readily over any straw which may have a tendency to bunch 0r accumulate in the peripheral portion of the casing and there is no liability of dragging or obstruction from this source.

The absence of obstruction and straw-friction on the fan and the absence of a central vacuum allow the fan to run moreeasily, requiring a much less horse-power to drive it, while a steady and powerful blast is maintained. This device has the advantages of both the usual forms-the one where the straw is delivered directly into the blast and the other where the blades, together with the air-pressure, exert the necessary force.

While I have referred to the side of the easing having the opening D as the front, this term is used merely relatively, since of course the blower is used in different relations in different machines, and in some cases might be horizontally disposed with said opening either uppermost or underneath.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a blower, a casing having a discharge chute or opening, an opening at one side thereof for introduction of straw, and an opening at the other side for admission of air, and a rotary fan in said casing having a series of radial main blades and a central series of helically-arranged auxiliary blades at the side ad- The central coverjacent to the latter opening for drawing in air through said opening.

2. In a blower, a circular casi'nghaving a tangential discharge-chute, an opening at one side for introduction of straw, and a central circular air-opening at the opposite side, and a rotary fan concentrically disposed in said casing having a central series of main blades and a series of helically-arra-nged auxiliary blades at the side adjacent to said air-opening projecting into and revolving within said opening.

3. In a blower, a casing having a discharge chute, an opening at one side for introduction of straw, and a central air-inlet opening at the opposite side, and a rotary fan in said casing comprising a series of main blades having their edges adjacent to the straw inlet opening rolled or turned in the direction of rotation, a central disk or plate at the side next to said opening, and a central series of small auxiliary blades at the opposite side of the fan for drawing a current of air through the air-inlet opening into the center of the fan.

4:. In a blower, a casing having a dischargechute, an opening at one side for introduction of straw, and an air-inlet opening at the opposite side, and a rotary fan in said casing comprising a series of main blades having their edges adjacent to the straw inlet opening rolled or turned in the direction of rotation and tapered from the central part of the fan toward the'outer ends of the blades, a central disk or plate at the side of the fan next to said opening, and a central series of auxiliary blades at the opposite side arranged to draw a current of air through said air-inlet opening into the center of the fan.

5. In a blower, a casing having a dischargechute and a straw-opening at one side and an air-opening at the opposite side, and a rotary fan in said casing having a series of main blades and a central series of small helicallyarranged blades at the side next to said airopening for drawing a current of air therethrough, and pivoted plates adapted to close or partially close said air-opening to control the current.

6. In a blower, a fan-casing having a peripheral discharge chute or opening, an opening at one side for introduction of straw, and a central air-inlet opening at the opposite side, a rotary fan in said casing having a series of radial main blades whose edges adjacent to said straw-inlet opening are rolled or turned in the direction of rotation, and a central series of auxiliary blades at the side of the fan adjacent to said air-opening for drawing a current of air therethrough to the center of the fan. I

7. In a blower, a fan-casing having a peripheral discharge chute or opening, an opening at one side for introduction of straw, and a central opening at the other side for admission of air, a rotary fan in said casing having a series of blades, and a central series of auxiliary blades at the side adjacent to said airopening for drawing air therethrough to the center of the fan, and protecting means at the opposite side of the fan for preventing the passage of air laterally through the fan and preventing access of straw to the center of the fan.

8. In a blower, a fan-casing having a discharge chute or opening and a side opening for introduction of straw, and a rotary fan in said casing having a series of radial blades with their edges adjacent to said straw-opening rolled or turned in the direction of rotation, and a central disk or plate to which said turned edge portions are attached.

9. A rotary fan having a series of radial main blades with their edges at one side rolled or turned forward, a central disk or plate at the same side, and a central series of helicallyarranged auxiliary blades at the opposite side.

presence of two witnesses.

DAVID RICHARD GARDINER. Witnesses:

DELBER'I THURSTON,

IV. T. BARR.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in 

